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Published: April 12th 2007
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Banos Bus-stop
I was sitting, waiting, wishing 45 meters from the rocky ground below, a waterfall cascading over me, Fear submitted to determination, the essence of life surging through my veins, and a smile cast across my face as I hung from a single rope!
The sensations that I felt this past week in Banos whilst repelling down a 50m waterfall were truely some of the most pure feelings of accomplishment and joy that I have felt for a long while.
As many of you are aware I have a firm fear of heights,
'strange for such a tall guy' some may say, but the truth is that my fear of heights has haunted me in every vertical pursuit on which I have ever embarked throughout this comedy series that is 'My Life'. So when my two travelling companions and I saw a sign that said 'Canyoning' we were interested what activities an adventure tourism office would offer that take place in a canyon, and from that moment seeds of curiousity were planted in our adventure thirsty minds.
We passed the night considering the possible explanation as to 'why fingers go prune-like in water', as we bathed in thermal hot pools. After such meaningful thoughts we
Behold
This is what Quito looks like from 4100m then proceeded to discuss whether we would sign up for this curious 'Canyoning' activity. Ultimately we came to the conclusion of 'why not?' (as any jedi would), and the next morning (after a very satisfying breakfast) we walked into the same adventure tourism office and signed up.
It was the moment that I noticed a picture of what looked like a midget hanging from a rope, amid the jaws of a towering waterfall that I realised what I had gotten myself into. I was set to confront my fear of heights, and also develop a new level of trust in the bolts wedged in volcanic rocks that you hang from.
The experience began with guidelines in spanish about how to lower ourselves, and make sure we don't die (my concentration was at a heightened spidy sense type of level). After having been briefed and fitted into fetching outfits we walked to the first 10m waterfall. I thought then that 10m was nothing, but after having been volunteered to go first, and having ropes run through my harness I found myself standing at the top of what seemed like far more then a 10m waterfall.
My shoes had no grip on
4700
up high, friking freezing the wet rocks, and as i leaned back over the edge I could feel my body tensing and complaining, but as i lay back against the support of the harness it became the synch that I had been assured it would be. We swam and slide into and around the waterfall for a while before continuing to the real test, A 50m Waterfall! Inconcievable!
The photo of me prior to going over the edge of this picturesque giant suggests a level of mental unrest, but the truth is I was shaking with doubt, and fear. At one point I had to change ropes whilst standing on a ledge perched at the top of the 50m fall, but from the moment I leaned back out over the abyss I felt pure adrenaline and freedom flow through my veins. I looked down below my suspended feet and could think of nothing to say, other then one word,
"Esteeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.....ph".
The story of Este...ph
The first time that I arrived here in this very same hostel in Quito I encountered a man so twisted and tangled in mystery and contradiction that I left after spending three days with him unable to even say
Nearly Ready
But for the fact that the largest shoes they had were size 11 his name. His personal history and tales seemed so majestic and wonderous that I am sure that he would one day be recognised as a national treasure in whichever country he chose to settle.
last Friday, when I arrived back here at this very same hostel that same man of mystery still inhabited the very same bed that he had the morning that I had departed two months earlier! It was like I hadn't left and for him that was exactly the case.
Standing at a daunting 5 foot 5 inches with generously greased straight black hair, and a proud chin that supports a jaw, sparingly filled with rabid bat like canines. At his chin he has groomed 7 or 8 whiskers to grow in a true Yoda or Mister Miyagi type of fashion, and to support this celebrity status frame he holds a mountain pole, which seems to be taller then he is. As a result he reaches up with glazed confused rabbit like eyes, arching his back, and supporting his weak 'corazon' with his other hand, resembling a great conquerer surveying his empire from a wind-swept mountain top.
The first time that you have the fortune to encounter
Nice
I couldn't fir the whole cliff face into a single frame! this mystery man you may also notice that he proudly wears a mountain jacket zipped up to the point of suffocation. Some have even observed him sleeping in this fashion, treating his numerous zip front jackets as exa-skeletons, possibly giving him some low level super hero type powers, so that he is able to fend off muggers with an elbow, and dance in a state of full arrousal.
We have come to know him by the many quotes that he recycles, with a new luster and impact every time,
"Nooooooooo"
"Tengo Hambre"
"No puedo"
"No Recuerdo Nada"
"Mi Corazon"
"Nooooooooo"
"Mis Padres"
"La Senora esta enojada"
"Mucho Frio"
"Nooooooooo",
and by what we call him,
Este.....................................................................................ph
My birthday found its self on a friday this year, Friday the 13th. Not the luckiest of days, except for those that accompanied me to Bungalow Bar on Thursday night, and were priviledged enough to witness Este..ph in top form, and in full swing. We drank and danced into the early hours, at which point Este..ph caused a contreversial scandal at our hostal.
After having been carried home by Patrick (whose pants were falling down), with complaints about his Corazon, he began
Indiana Jones
and the Last Temple (That is what the call 'The Temple of Doom' here screaming and causing quite a riot in the long-since slumbering hostal. Through the night he dispersed quantities of that nights alcohol across the floor of his dorm, and the next morning the four of us were labelled "borrachos" (drunks), and asked to leave. It took much diplomacy and pointing of fingers at Este...ph before we were finally allowed to stay, but we never managed to shake the label of "borrachos".
Needless to say it was a great baptism into the age of 23, and I only wish that I had been able to share it with more of you.
Yesterday I faced my problems with altitude by mountain biking down Cotopaxi Volcano here in Quito. We began our descent at the 4700m snowline, and flew down the ancient ash covered road cuttings. My face numb, eyes streaming, and my crotch screaming surrender.
The first 8km downhill were a triumph, and from there the gradual descent from 3900m to 3200m was a pleasurable and scenic pedal in the park. The final 10km showered us with rain, and our tyres threw mud up on us, as we skidded and sped to our final destination. A well worth while experience, shared with
Slippery steps
Rain and water fall mist make for a damp experience two brilliant guys! That is Greg and Patrick that you see there in our pedaling possy.
I am now resting my weary body from thismornings basketball, yesterdays cycling and the antics from the day before, until friday when I fly to the Galapagos Islands in search of buried treasure and some mermaids!
Take care of yourselves, and brush your teeth after every time that you eat!
Andrew
ps: I saw the new Will Smith fil "Pursuit of Happiness". Best film I have seen in a long time. He has moved into my favourite actor bracket now. See It!
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Tracey
non-member comment
How did they get you on a bike?
You certainly cant be accused of not living life to the fullest over there. First absailing, then you on a bike!, so surely next it will have to be skydiving. Great to see you managed to celebrate the day. Keep up the adventure and continue to leave your mark on the world.